Computer graphics and text: Auto
Bild Background retouching and further preparation
for the web by MBEP
webmasterPlease note that the above graphics shows how the car
magazine thinks the car will look like and doesn't show an actual
photographed car

From the end of the year 2001 on the small Mercedes van will
be built 50.000 times a year inLudwigsfelde ((Germany)). Above all it shall be a competitor
to Renault and the PSA-groupDespite all rumours: The minivan is no lengthened A-Class,
it only drives with its technique

Translation of an article from German car mag
"Auto Bild" from Oct. 1999 written
by Michael SpechtHere comes Anton

To leave the field easily to the
others Mercedes-chief Juergen Hubbert after all does not want to. Just
to reach the promised 1 million (sale of passenger cars per year) it counts
to occupy every niche in the market.That was the case in 1997 with
the A-Class, so it will be at the end of 2001 with the compact-van "Anton"
(working name up to now). Because Citroen/Peugeot and Renault prove: Models
like Berlingo/Partner as well as the Kangoo are the ideal "light commercial
vehicles" - and successful. For the family with two children plus a dog
as well as for workmen, taxi drivers and delivery men. Not to forget: Young
people who need space for their hobbies (wind surfing, mountain biking,
bike riding).

In the meantime slightly disguised
prototypes pass through the hard daily test routines. The complete drivetrain
with sandwich-floor derives from the Mercedes A-ClassPhoto and photo text left: Auto
Bild

Market analyses talk about a two-million
demand in Europe. Nearly half a million of that fall to Germany. Mercedes
is optimistic to be able to sell roughly 50.000 units a year from the small
van.The engine concept and the sandwich-architecture
come from the A-Class ((W168)). That means there will be three gasoline
(140, 160, 190) and two diesel engines (160, 170) with manual and automatic
transmissions. With a length of 4,20 metres (height 1,74 m, width 1,83m)
"Anton" swallows three cubic metres of cargo and can carry up to 700 kg
maximum payload (with a curb weight of 1.195 kg). Loading and unloading
can be done via two sliding doors on the sides and via a asymmetric double
doors ((on the rear)).

Citroen BerlingoPhoto: PSA/Citroen

Renault KangooPhoto:
Renault

Mercedes-typical: The security. An
"early death of workmen" it shall not give in "Anton". The small van gets
all features of the A-Class (four airbags, brake assist BAS) inclusive
the moose-tamer
ESP. That is valid for both versions, van and station wagon.With new-style variability the
Stuttgarters want to convince in the interior, too. The backseat divided
one third to two thirds is not only foldable but also "wrapable" (similar
to the legendary Renault 4 from 1961 on) so that an as big as possible
cargo compartment results.Cup holders please the workmen
in the morning break, the foldable passenger seat allows the transport
of wooden beams from the do-it-yourself shop around the corner.

The cockpit is similar to that of the
A-Class. Workmen please note the big compartment for papers in the dashboard

In terms of buying price "Anton"
drifts away far from Berlingo and Kangoo. Mercedes is sure that also from
DM 35.000 on ((USD 17.500 assumed USD 1 = DM 2.00)) enough customers will
get aboard. Because it is known that the craft has a golden basis.Michael SpechtEnd of article from "Auto
Bild" - translation by MBEP
webmasterAs usual remarks in ((blabla)),
but (blabla) belongs to original text.

Sliding doors and a big tail gate identify the Vaneo based
upon the A-Class

With A-Class techniqueCompact Van from Mercedes

Under the model designation Vaneo Mercedes at the end
of the year 2001 brings a new compact van onto the market which technically
bases on the A-Class. Though with 4.19 metres the Vaneo is easily 60 centimetres
longer than the A-Class and has a noticeably stretched wheelbase, too.
In the interior the van shall give space for five grown-ups or for two
grown-ups and three cubic metres of cargo. Access to the rear is enabled
by two standard sliding doors. As motorization the front drive vehicle
gets the A-Class units. The van developed in charge of the Mercedes commercial
department will be built in the Berlin-Ludwigsfelde plant. Per year 50.000
vehicles are planned ((to be built)).End of article from "Auto
Motor und Sport" - translation by MBEP
webmaster.As usual remarks in ((blabla)).

Translation of an article
from German car magazine "Auto Bild"
issue 49/1999 from Dec. 10th

Five years. So long the Stuttgarters
enviously have to watch how the French make a mint with the practical mini
leisure-time vans a la Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo.Only from 2001 on they can counterattack
with the Vaneo; but with DM 35.000 ((USD 17.500 assumed USD 1 = DM 2.00))
it will be DM 10.000 more costly. Technically the Vaneo is based on the
A-Class ((W168)) which means it takes over the engines (diesel and gasoline)
as well as the sandwich construction and all safety features.End of article - translation by
MBEP
webmaster

MercedesBig
A-Class.Mercedes
lengthens the small one to a city delivery vehicle

Computer graphics: Auto/Strassenverkehr
Two-piece mounting and further preparation for the web by MBEP
webmasterPlease note that the above graphics shows how the car
magazine thinks the car will look like and doesn't show an actual
photographed car

For the end of the year 2001 Mercedes
plans the introduction of the Compact Van. The high-roof sedan on the platform
of the A-Class after all shall serve as a manoeuvrable vehicle for delivery
purposes. Mercedes falls back on the body structure of the A-Class and
the arrangement of engine and auxiliary units in the sandwich floor remains
the same. At first the city delivery van comes with closed steel body instead
of rear windows, but a version with windows is being discussed. The entry
to the back is enhanced by rear sliding doors on the sides, the end closes
with a conventional tail gate. With a length of roughly 4.20 metres the
A-Class Van is shorter than a station wagon in the compact class, but the
removable rear seats provide a greater variability. The vehicle will be
produced in ((the city of)) Ludwigsfelde ((German federal state of)) Brandenburg
where DaimlerChrysler invests roughly DM 625 million ((USD 312.5 billion
assumed USD 1 = DM 2.00)). ((Rest of article not translated because it
is not regarding the A-Class Van)).End of article from "Auto/Strassenverkehr"
- translation by MBEP webmasterAs usual remarks
in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs to original text.

• Tuning of electronic systems such as ESP and ABS• Numerous tests at temperatures of down to minus
35°C• Market launch of the Mercedes-Benz compact van in
Autumn 2001

Stuttgart – while Spring is already setting in here, icy
temperatures are still prevailing in north Sweden. Just the right conditions
for putting a prototype through its paces. That is exactly what's happening
at the moment to the Vaneo compact van, which is due to be launched on
the market in autumn 2001. On the agenda is the tuning of electronic systems
such as ABS, ASR (acceleration skid control) or ESP (Electronic Stability
Program) under low-friction conditions – ranging from snow to sheet ice
– both on the level and on hills. For this purpose, special test tracks
are set up and are prepared every year with snow and ice. Some of these
test tracks are on frozen lakes. In addition, the cold start characteristics
as well as the heating and ventilation system are also being tested under
extreme conditions.

All Mercedes-Benz basic vehicles for every model series
are channelled through the "cold chamber" either in Arjeplog, Sweden or
in Rovaniemi, Finland, where temperatures of minus 35°C are not unusual
in the depths of winter. All of the components must stand the test in the
Arctic circle. Engineers from Stuttgart-Untertürkheim test whether
engine components and equipment are capable of doing what the customer
expects of them, even in the worst of winters. And some of these components
can only be really tested under extreme conditions. The trials specifically
involved the following:

In addition to stationary testing such as the measurement
of forces under the influence of cold, large distances are driven on icy
and snowy roads to assess all a vehicle’s components and systems. The future
Vaneo compact van passed all the tests with flying colours, including,
for instance, handling trials involving extreme lane-change manoeuvres.

The future Vaneo compact van from Mercedes-Benz stands
out by virtue of its unique dimensions. At 4.19 m length, 1.74 m width
and 1.83 m height it offers enough room for five adults and two children
or for two adults and a load of up to three cubic metres. Accesss to the
rear is via either one or two sliding doors. Due to its variability the
Vaneo from Mercedes-Benz is ideal both for dual-purpose (i.e. commercial/private)
use and as a family vehicle.End of DaimlerChrysler press text - Some minor mistakes
corrected by MBEP
webmaster

Translation of an excerpt from an article from "Auto
Bild" from 04/1999 written by Stefan Diehl.The A-Class Shows Size...And at the end of the year 2000 a delivery van
((will come))...The second step to the complete A-Class family makes
the LCV in the next year. A city delivery van lengthened to roughly four
metres which in a basic version aims at workmen. Trendy-chic equipped the
other version shall serve parents as an alternative to ((Renault)) Kangoo
and co. Platform and interior until the B-pillar are the same as with the
A-Class, in the rear sliding doors are planned...End of excerpt from article - translation by MBEP
webmasterAs usual remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs
to original text